Форум «Енергія Свободи»: від операційної стійкості до прибуткового бізнесу на BESS

07.11.2025

On November 20, Energy Club is gathering key market players for a forum dedicated to energy storage systems. Ahead of the event, we spoke with Andriy Kostrytsia, President of Energy Club, about the key expectations for the forum and the state of the BESS market in Ukraine.

— Mr. Kostrytsia, Energy Club is gathering market players on November 20 for the “Energy of Freedom” forum. As the organizer, how would you outline the main goal of this event? What key “pain point” for business and the market are you striving to solve?

— The main goal is to create a practical platform for all interested parties. We see that the market has matured, and conversations have shifted from the theoretical “what is this” to the practical “how does it work and how much does it cost.” The “pain point” we aim to solve is the lack of a unified information field. Technology manufacturers, experienced integrators, consumers with urgent needs, and regulators all exist separately. Our task is to synchronize them. The forum must provide clear answers to business questions: which business models are profitable, what are the legal obstacles, and who can implement a project with quality.

— We are hearing somewhat different views from the market. On one hand, large industry views BESS primarily as a tool for energy security and survival, where payback is a secondary issue compared to operational continuity. On the other hand, developers and integrators are already talking about completely profitable business models with a payback period of 2-5 years. Where is the truth?

— This is not a contradiction, but two parallel and equally viable approaches. The truth is that the BESS market has several levels. For large industry or the agricultural sector, where an hour of downtime costs millions, BESS is primarily about risk management. The payback of such a project is not calculated in profit from arbitrage, but in losses avoided. This is a model of operational resilience. At the same time, for other investors, the market already offers purely commercial models: operating in the balancing market, providing ancillary services, and price arbitrage. Here, we are talking about BESS as a profit-generating tool. The market has matured to the point where both models can coexist, and at the forum, we will analyze case studies for both approaches in detail.

— Another topic with differing assessments is the regulatory field. Some participants believe the field is quite favorable. Others emphasize the need for additional mechanisms, especially regarding investment risks.

— Again, both assessments are correct. If we talk about the market side, indeed, the regulatory framework for BESS to operate in the market (licensing, participation in trading) already exists. This is a big step forward. However, if you look at it from the perspective of a large investor, the investment risks remain high. The main barrier is not the market rules, but the general investment climate, particularly non-commercial risks. For BESS projects to become truly widespread, the market needs two specific steps:

Effective mechanisms for insuring non-commercial risks.
Maximum simplification of permitting procedures and connection conditions, especially for projects for businesses’ own consumption.

— We are seeing the emergence of strong Ukrainian manufacturers who are localizing production and engaging global component suppliers. They mention barriers like import duties. How important is it to support domestic producers, and how can this be balanced with the need to quickly saturate the market?

— Supporting localization is a strategic issue. The presence of domestic engineering expertise, a production base, and service in Ukraine is an element of national energy security. This guarantees quick maintenance, flexible solutions, and cybersecurity, which is often forgotten when buying imported “black boxes.” The market, of course, needs fast solutions, and imports are unavoidable here. But the state must strategically support localization. Removing import duties on components for domestic producers that have no analogues in Ukraine is a logical and pragmatic step. It doesn’t require direct subsidies but levels the playing field and stimulates the development of domestic technologies.

— The forum has clear target audiences: industry, the agricultural sector, and retail. Why is it necessary for the director of an agricultural holding or the chief power engineer of a metallurgical plant, who is not used to dealing with the energy market, to be at your event on November 20?

— Because this is a forum not about abstract energy, but about their operational efficiency and financial results. We are deliberately building the program around practical business cases. A participant will not get theory, but clear answers to three questions:

How does BESS guarantee the continuity of my business processes?
How much does it cost, and what is the real payback (through avoided losses or direct savings/earnings)?
Who in the market (integrators, manufacturers) can implement such a project “turnkey”?

This will be a maximally pragmatic conversation about risk management and cost optimization.

— In conclusion, Mr. Kostrytsia, what key message would you like to convey to those who are still hesitant about whether to attend the forum on November 20?

— The message is very simple: this forum is not about theory, but about practice. If your business depends on a stable energy supply, you can no longer afford to be a passive consumer. It is time to become an active player. On November 20, we will not be discussing abstract “concepts.” We will be sharing real case studies, breaking down business models, and introducing you to contractors who can implement this today. This is a direct investment in the resilience and efficiency of your business. Join us, we look forward to seeing you.